Sunday, 30 December 2012

I have resided in Bacchus Marsh for a little over 7 years. In this time I have been blessed with wonderful neighbors who have always been there for me and my children.

As a single Mum, living alone, we have two "safe houses" in our area. One, two houses up and one, across the road and around the corner. I first introduced our safe houses to Jie when he was three and while my husband was going through alcoholism and substance abuse. Because he wasn't living with us and because he was unpredictable. The two people in each of our safe houses are amazing people always willing to open their doors day or night. For them we are blessed.

Within the seven years living here I have gotten to know the neighbors really well. This year, while walking Jie to the bus stop everyday for school we have met a lot more up the other end of the street. All year two neighbours have brought the kids special little things here and there. Mostly books and lollies but on hotter days icy poles and chocolate. These generous neighbours have been amazing and after Matt and I broke up back in September, they made me know, that they were there for me. Because of their kindness and generosity we are blessed.

On the right hand side of my home lives an old man named Trevor. He has grown up in this street since he was a boy, he is now 80 years old. He is one of a kind. In the seven years I have been here I have seen him climb roofs and ladders to fix things, I have seen him drive his ute, sell his ute to buy a bike, sell his bike to buy a mobility scooter, and although he has his mobility scooter, we very often still see him on his bike! Trev is the kindest, gentlest, oldest man I've been blessed to know. He fitted my washing machine in for me back in 'o5, when he saw my antanna needed fixing in 'o7 he got on my roof to fix it, when the fence was half blown down in 'o8 he staked it, and this year, when I got bikes for the kids for Christmas, it was Trev we turned to for tools to piece them together. He is such a selfless man willing to do anything for anyone. Because of him we are blessed.

Our neighbors on the other side of us, an elderly couple, who brought the house from our previous neighbors only 5 short years ago are lovely also. Bob, the bloke, brings us peaches and mangos from his tree's out the back. This summer he has also grown tomatos and boy are they juicy. In recent years, since doing our advent calenders, these guys have become really friendly towards us. A few weeks ago, noticing their lawns growing tall I decided to mow it, unbeknown to them. I know they appreciated it wether they knew it was me or not. It's what I do now. They dont own a lawn mower and even if they did Bob suffers with back aches (being in his 60's). I actually enjoy doing it for them. It teaches my kids kindness and because of that we are blessed.

Tonight I made Trev some dinner. In the late afternoon Trevor has a chair on his veranda in which he falls asleep on. His brother owns a farm on the outskirts of town and most days that is were you'll find him. He rides his bike out there to help his brother and always ends up having a nap on his veranda after a piece of fruit around the time I pick Jie up from school. He is always busy and wearing himself out. Tonight Trevor had what we had for tea. Snags and salad. For once we got to bless him back. I've always wondered what I could do for him as he has done so much for us. What to give a guy who has everything. What to buy an 80 year old for Christmas. Well you know the saying, "the way to mans heart is through his stomach" Judging by the smile and appreciation he showed tonight, he was happily satisfied. Merry Christmas Trevor!

But most of all. The feeling of being loved, accepted and treasured like no other Christmas ever. I hope you guys got to experience that too.. Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, 25 December 2012

After Nevaeh took a fancy to barbies earlier this year I knew that there was no stopping her. As a child, I too liked barbies, then Polly Pockets, then barbies again. I can see why her eyes shine with glee when she see's them, the glits and glamour of it all makes them so appealing.

As I browsed through Kmart last month there were so many to choose from. As I looked closer at each box, it was clear how sexualised they had become since I was a child. I remember having a few, not a lot, but maybe four or five but nothing like the ones on display. I remember having this one, and this one and this one..

While at the pool the other day she saw a little girl, around her age, three or four in the baby pool wearing a bikini. Nevaeh was horrified.

Mum, What the heck? She's rudies!

I agreed..

Yes Nevaeh, we can see her belly!

We laughed it off and the kids continued to play.

Not realising it then, but I had actually brought Nevaeh a barbie with a bikini on to go with the barbie pool I also got her for Christmas. I remember looking for a barbie with a one piece swim suit on but I guess that is just not "the barbie fashion" anymore. So tonight, realizing I had also brought a few dresses for her barbies which are mini (again, all they had), I pulled out the sewing machine and made a dress out of two old shirts I was going to give to the op-shop next week.

Sunday, 23 December 2012

Our Christmas advent for day 17 was to go to the pool. Unfortunately it fell on an overcast Monday and Jiedyn had school. So, today being 40° we soaked up the sun down at the local pool with some friends!

Mums Comments:
Jie lost two teeth while at school this year. He has also learnt to be brave with the bigger personalities in his class. He has enjoyed catching the bus to and from school and always has great things to tell me. He likes writing lists but most of all sums. Jiedyn often over rules my authority with his teachers. With a sentence like

But Mrs Newton said...

Do your kids do that too?

Overall Jiedyn has had a wonderful first year of primary school. So many moments and memories to treasure this year. I'd like to just publicly thank Renae Newton for being an amazing teacher and mother figure to my son and also his best friend Jess who has encouraged Jie to shine at school. You gusy have made this year an amazing experience for Jie. And with that - Good bye grade prep and hello ONErs!

Monday, 17 December 2012

I cannot believe I just taught myself to sew! No tutorials, no assistance, no worries!

I drew then cut out two identical pieces of blue fabric. I read the instruction manual of my brand spankin' new sewing machine ( which I picked up cheap from Target for myself for Christmas), learnt how to threat the top thread into the needle and how to attach the bottom thread. Before long I was just trying all the patterns and getting a feel for my new machine. I tried using the hand operation but found that I prefer the pedal instead. The kids and I went down the street for dinner and I called into the two fabric shops on the way down. I got two meters of plain blue fabric to practice with, but on my first time sewing I created this..

A beautiful Blue stocking!

It's not perfect and the stitching is looser than what it should be but, isn't it cool! The kids went to bed early (6.30pm early), so you guys get to see it before they do. I'm so proud of myself!

Saturday, 15 December 2012

This was one of the first songs I remember singing as a child in front of my school at the end of the year. Gone are the days of Nativity plays and Hymns in our education systems not just here in Australia, but world wide.

If fact 20 children in my sons class last week heard of Jesus for the very first time!! The teacher had Jie stand up and tell them the Christmas Story. He loved it and was so excited that he could share his best friend with his whole class. It was the first thing I heard come out of his mouth as he hopped off the bus on Friday.

But while he was allowed to share about Jesus' birth, he was not allowed to share about the reason He came, he wasn't allowed to share that Jesus died so that he, his friends and family could live and he was not allowed to share that he does not celebrate Santa. I don't understand, being of Christian faith, why he cannot freely speak about his beliefs. Everyone in his class believe in Santa, share Santa, love Santa and celebrate him once a year. My son believes in Jesus, should be able to share Jesus and loves Jesus all year round. Jie is learning to respect the beliefs of his friends, but is not getting the same courtesy when is comes to them. Do the parents only think about themselves these days?

So while we don't "do" Santa, Jie still participates in Christmas activities at school which consist of flying Reindeer, and elves, and the north pole and the absurdity of one man delivering billions of presents to sleeping kids in one night. If I had have chosen not to include him, he would likely miss out on the last three weeks of his school curriculum. While I tell Jiedyn of Santa and the north-pole being a "story", I can't help but think of all these children who grow up believing lies from their own parents. Sure, my parents did it but knowing the real reason for Christmas is much more real, special and magical than an old guy in a red suit! Why do you do it, if you do it at all?

Sunday, 9 December 2012

Yesterday was just way too hot to be home baking so I told the kids this morning that this afternoon, providing they're rooms were cleaned up, that we would bake for our neighbors.

At one o'clock we left for the shops to by food coloring and icing sugar. We got home at around three o'clock and started mixing and cutting at four o'clock. By five we we're baking and preparing our different color icing sugar. The kids took turns painting and dipping the cooled biscuits into the 100's and 1000's.

Friday, 7 December 2012

Myself along with five kids in my care, put our pinks on and painted our faces to walk with our community in respect for the family and friends who recently lost a friend, daughter and Grand-daughter - Sarah Cafferkey.

Last month our community were told that we had lost the 22 year old to the hands of domestic violence. Two courageous men stepped forward to unite our town as one. Together we walked with friends, family, teachers, council members and neighbors to pay our respects publicly .

On Saturday, 2nd of December we marched proudly.
We wore pink as it was Sarah's favorite colour
and white to stop the violence against women nation wide.

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Bursting off the bus with a lit up face, rosy red cheeks and a green ribbon hanging on his chest, Jie was filled with joy and excitement to tell me everything he had achieved in his very first Junior Sports Day at school.

I came third Mum! I really did! We did a long distance run, we had to go around two times and I came third!

Very proud and excited Nevaeh and I listened as he told us of the different events he took part in. On his ribbon it read "Jie, Athletics, I have won 13 points for Mirrimu" I shared with him that I too was in green house when I was in primary school. He went on to tell me that he came 2nd in his class in achieving the most amount of house points. I could see how pleased he was with himself. I just sat and stared for a while, soaking in the goodness, the energy, full aware that this was the beginning of a life full of great things. Way to go son.